Electronic display mounting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A mounting apparatus includes a cradle, a stand, a cradle attachment member, and a rotation member. The cradle includes an electronic display attachment member which is configured to removably attach an electronic display to the cradle. The cradle attachment member is configured to removably attach the cradle to the stand. The rotation member is configured to allow rotation of the electronic display when it is attached to the electronic display attachment member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/209,609, filed Mar. 13, 2014. The aforementioned relatedpatent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to an electronic display mounting apparatuswhich allows an electronic display to be rotateably mounted to anaircraft or another structure.

BACKGROUND

Aircraft such as the Boeing 777 have cockpits with instrument panelsholding controls in efficient spacing arrangements effectively utilizingthe space. It is difficult to removably or rotateably mount a portableelectronic display, such as a tablet, an IPad, an electronic flight bagdevice, or a hand-held computer, in the instrument panel withoutinterfering with the pilot's view-lines of the controls of theinstrument panel. Other non-aircraft structures utilizing efficientspacing may also have this same issue.

An apparatus and method is needed to resolve one or more issues of oneor more of the existing apparatus and methods for removably mounting aportable electronic display to a structure.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a mounting apparatus includes a cradle, a stand, acradle attachment member, and a rotation member. The cradle includes anelectronic display attachment member which is configured to removablyattach an electronic display to the cradle. The cradle attachment memberis configured to removably attach the cradle to the stand. The rotationmember is configured to allow rotation of the electronic display when itis attached to the electronic display attachment member.

In another embodiment, an aircraft includes a cradle, a stand, a standattachment member, a cradle attachment member, and a rotation member.The cradle includes an electronic display attachment member which isconfigured to removably attach an electronic display to the cradle. Thestand attachment member removably attaches the stand to the aircraft.The cradle attachment member removably attaches the cradle to the stand.The rotation member is configured to allow rotation of the electronicdisplay when it is attached to the electronic display attachment member.

In still another embodiment, a method of attaching an electronic displayto an aircraft is disclosed. In one step, an electronic display isattached to a mounting apparatus attached to an instrument panel of anaircraft. In another step, the electronic display is rotated by rotatinga portion of the mounting apparatus while the electronic display is heldby the mounting apparatus

The scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the appendedclaims and is not affected by the statements within this summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and description. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a front perspective view of amounting apparatus holding an electronic display;

FIG. 2 illustrates a back perspective view of the mounting apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a disassembled back perspective view of the mountingapparatus of FIG. 2 with the stand detached from the cradle;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the stand of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a back perspective view of the cradle of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view through line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 illustrates a back perspective view of another embodiment of amounting apparatus holding an electronic display;

FIG. 8 illustrates a back perspective view of another embodiment of amounting apparatus holding an electronic display; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method ofattaching an electronic display to an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a front perspective view of amounting apparatus 10 holding an electronic display 12. FIG. 2illustrates a back perspective view of the mounting apparatus 10 ofFIG. 1. The mounting apparatus 10 is attached to an instrument panel 13of an aircraft 14. In other embodiments, the mounting apparatus 10 maybe attached to varying structures. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, themounting apparatus 10 comprises a cradle 16 and a stand 18. Theelectronic display 12 comprises a tablet, an IPad, an electronic flightbag device, or a hand-held computer. In other embodiments, theelectronic display 12 may vary.

The cradle 16 comprises an electronic display attachment member 20 whichis configured to removably attach the electronic display 12 to thecradle 16. The electronic display attachment member 20 comprises twoopposed rails 20 a and 20 b which are configured to removably slide theelectronic display between the two opposed rails 20 a and 20 b. Theelectronic display attachment member 20 further comprises at a first end20 c a third rail 20 d extending between the two opposed rails 20 a and20 b. The third rail 20 d is configured to stop the electronic display12 from sliding past the third rail 20 d. The electronic displayattachment member 20 further comprises at a second end 20 e an openpocket 20 f extending between the two opposed rails 20 a and 20 b. Theopen pocket 20 f is configured to allow the electronic display 12 to beslid into the open pocket 20 f between the two opposed rails 20 a and 20b until it abuts against the third rail 20 d so that the electronicdisplay 12 is held in place by the two opposed rails 20 a and 20 b andthe third rail 20 d. The cradle 16 including the electronic displayattachment member 20 may be made from a selective laser sintering 3-Dprinting process. In one embodiment, the cradle 16 and the electronicdisplay attachment member 20 may be plastic. In other embodiments thecradle 16 and the electronic display attachment member 20 may vary inmanufacture, shape, size, structure, quantity, configuration,orientation, or material.

The stand 18 is removably attached to the instrument panel 13 of theaircraft 14 with a stand attachment member 22. The stand attachmentmember 22 comprises a plurality of bolts which bolt the stand 18 to theinstrument panel 13 of the aircraft 14. The stand attachment member 22made be made from a selective laser sintering 3-D printing process andmay be plastic. In other embodiments, the stand 18 and the standattachment member 22 may vary in manufacture, shape, size, structure,quantity, configuration, orientation, or material.

FIG. 3 illustrates a disassembled back perspective view of the mountingapparatus 10 of FIG. 2 with the stand 18 detached from the cradle 16.FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the stand 18 of FIG. 3.FIG. 5 illustrates a back perspective view of the cradle 16 of FIG. 3.FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view through line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

As shown collectively in FIGS. 3-6, a cradle attachment member 24removably attaches the cradle 16 to the stand 18. The cradle attachmentmember 24 comprises tabs 18 a of the stand 18, channel 16 a of thecradle 16, and notches 16 b of the cradle 16. The tabs 18 a of the stand18 are springy and resilient. In another embodiment, the tabs 18 a maybe hinged to the stand 18 without comprising an integral portion of thestand 18. When the cradle 16 is pushed against the stand 18, the tabs 18a of the stand 18 initially compress allowing the tabs 18 a to be fittedinto the channel 16 a of the cradle 16. Once the tabs 18 a are disposedwithin the channel 16 a of the cradle 16, the tabs 18 a extend againstand within the channel 16 a thereby attaching the cradle 16 to the stand18. Since the channel 16 a of the cradle 16 is circular, the channel 16a of the cradle 16 allows 360 degree rotation of the cradle 16 relativeto the stand 18 with the tabs 18 a disposed in the channel 16 a andfollowing the circular path of the channel 16 a as the cradle 16 isrotated relative to the stand 18. Twelve notches 16 b are disposed every30 degrees around and within the channel 16 a. In other embodiments, thenumber, configuration, and orientation of the notches 16 b may vary.When the cradle 16 is rotated relative to the stand 18, the tabs 18 awill snap into one opposed set of notches 16 b holding the cradle 16 ina fixed position relative to the stand 18. When the user desires thatthe cradle 16 be rotated further relative to the stand 18, the user mayexert a further force on the cradle 16 to rotate relative to the stand18. This will force the tabs 18 a to compress allowing the tabs 18 a tofurther move through the channel 16 a until the tabs 18 a extend intoanother opposed set of notches 16 b to hold the cradle 16 in anotherfixed position relative to the stand 18. This process may be repeatedallowing the user to rotate the cradle 16 into varying fixed positionsrelative to the stand 18. The cradle attachment member 24 may compriseintegral portions of the cradle 16 and the stand 18, may be made using aselective laser sintering 3-D printing process, and may be plastic. Inother embodiments, the cradle attachment member 24 may vary inmanufacture, shape, size, structure, quantity, configuration,orientation, or material.

As shown collectively in FIGS. 3-6, a rotation member 26 is configuredto allow rotation of the electronic display 12 when it is attached tothe electronic display attachment member 20 of the cradle 16. In oneembodiment, the rotation member 26 comprises the cradle attachmentmember 24. In this embodiment, the rotation member 26 comprises aportion of the cradle 16 comprising the channel 16 a, and a portion ofthe stand 18 comprising the tabs 18 a. The rotation member 26 maycomprise integral portions of the cradle 16 and the stand 18, may bemade using a selective laser sintering 3-D printing process, and may beplastic. In other embodiments, the rotation member 26 may vary inmanufacture, shape, size, structure, quantity, configuration,orientation, or material.

FIG. 7 illustrates a back perspective view of another embodiment of amounting apparatus 100 holding an electronic display 120. In thisembodiment, the stand 180 comprises a fixed stand portion 180 a and arotatable stand portion 180 b which is configured to rotate relative tothe fixed stand portion 180 a. The rotatable stand portion 180 b isfixedly attached to the cradle 160. As a result, the user is able torotate the electronic display 120 by rotating the cradle 160 whichrotates the rotatable stand portion 180 b relative to the fixed standportion 180 a which is fixedly attached to the instrument panel 130 ofthe aircraft 140. In this embodiment, the rotation member which allowsrotation of the electronic display 120 comprises the rotatable standportion 180 b of the stand 180.

FIG. 8 illustrates a back perspective view of another embodiment of amounting apparatus 200 holding an electronic display 220. In thisembodiment, the cradle 260 comprises a fixed cradle portion 260 a and arotatable cradle portion 260 b which is configured to rotate relative tothe fixed cradle portion 260 a. The rotatable cradle portion 260 b isfixedly attached to the portion of the cradle 260 which is holding theelectronic display 220. The fixed cradle portion 260 a is fixedlyattached to the stand 280 which is fixedly attached to the instrumentpanel 230 of the aircraft 240. As a result, the user is able to rotatethe electronic display 220 by rotating the rotatable cradle portion 260b relative to the fixed cradle portion 260 a which is fixedly attachedto the stand 280 which is fixedly attached to the instrument panel 230of the aircraft 240. In this embodiment, the rotation member whichallows rotation of the electronic display 220 comprises the rotatablecradle portion 260 b of the cradle 260.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method 330 ofattaching an electronic display to an aircraft. In other embodiments,the method 330 may be used to attach an electronic display to varyingstructures. In step 332, a mounting apparatus is manufactured using aselective laser sintering 3-D printing process. In one embodiment, themounting apparatus may comprise a stand, a cradle, and an electronicdisplay attachment member. In step 334, an electronic display isattached to the mounting apparatus attached to an instrument panel of anaircraft. The electronic display comprises a tablet, an IPad, anelectronic flight bag device, or a hand-held computer. In anotherembodiment, the electronic display may vary. In one embodiment, step 334may comprise: attaching a stand of the mounting apparatus to theinstrument panel of the aircraft; attaching a cradle of the mountingapparatus to the stand; and attaching the electronic display to thecradle. In one embodiment, the electronic display may be slid into apocket of the cradle of the mounting apparatus. In step 336, theelectronic display is rotated by rotating a portion of the mountingapparatus while the electronic display is held by the mountingapparatus. In one embodiment, step 336 may comprise rotating a portionof the stand relative to another portion of the stand. In anotherembodiment, step 336 may comprise rotating a portion of the cradlerelative to another portion of the cradle. In yet another embodiment,step 336 may comprise rotating the cradle relative to the stand. Inanother embodiment, any of the steps of the method 330 may not befollowed, may be modified in substance or in order, or one or moreadditional steps may be added.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may allow for an electronicdisplay to be rotateably mounted to an instrument panel of an aircraft,or to another structure, without interfering with usage of theinstrument panel. The mounting apparatus of the disclosure may be easyto manufacture and install at a reduced cost relative to other mountingapparatus.

The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true scope of the subject matter described herein.Furthermore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is defined bythe appended claims. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be restrictedexcept in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aircraft comprising: a cockpit of theaircraft; a cradle comprising: a backplate that includes a first sideand an opposing second side; a plurality of rails extending from thefirst side along edges of the backplate, the plurality of rails defininga slotted pocket that is sized to receive a portable electronic devicetherein; and a circular channel formed on the second side of thebackplate, the circular channel including a plurality of notches formedtherein; and a stand comprising: a circular base; a plurality ofresilient tabs, each tab including a first end that is formed unitarilywith the circular base and a second latch end, wherein the second latchend is sized to be received within the circular channel, wherein theresilient tabs engage the notches in an undeflected state to maintainthe cradle in a first radial position, and wherein the resilient tabsdisengage from the notches in a deflected state to enable rotation ofthe cradle to a second radial position; and a plurality of arcuate wallportions formed unitarily with the base, wherein an arcuate wall portionextends over most of a portion of a perimeter of the circular basebetween each pair of adjacent tabs, and wherein the plurality of arcuatewall portions are arrangable in a sliding, contacting relationship withthe circular channel when the second latch ends of the tabs are receivedwithin the circular channel; a stand attachment member removablyattaching the stand to the cockpit of the aircraft; and a cradleattachment member removably attaching the cradle to the stand.
 2. Theaircraft of claim 1, further comprising the portable electronic device,wherein the portable electronic device comprises a tablet, an electronicflight bag device, or a computer.
 3. The aircraft of claim 1, whereinthe stand attachment member is removably attaching the stand to aninstrument panel of the aircraft.
 4. The aircraft of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of resilient tabs are maintained within the channel whenthe cradle is moved from the first radial position to the second radialposition.
 5. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein gaps between the pluralityof arcuate wall portions is substantially less than a width of theplurality of resilient tabs.
 6. A method for use with an electronicdisplay in an aircraft, the method comprising: attaching a cradle with astand that is attached to an instrument panel of the aircraft, whereinthe stand comprises a circular base comprising a circumferentialarrangement of resilient tabs and arcuate wall portions, wherein anarcuate wall portion extends over most of a portion of a perimeter ofthe circular base between adjacent tabs, wherein attaching the cradlewith the stand comprises: receiving latch ends of the resilient tabswithin a circular channel of the cradle, wherein the arcuate wallportions are arranged in a sliding, contacting relationship with thecircular channel; and engaging the resilient tabs with a plurality ofnotches of the circular channel to maintain the cradle in a first radialposition, wherein the resilient tabs are configured to, responsive to anapplied rotational force, disengage from the notches to enable rotationof the cradle to at least a second radial position; and attaching theelectronic display to the cradle.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein theelectronic display comprises a tablet, an iPad, an electronic flight bagdevice or a computer.
 8. The method of claim 6, further comprisingmanufacturing one or both of the cradle and the stand using a selectivelaser sintering 3-D printing process.
 9. The method of claim 6, whereinthe cradle comprises an electronic display attachment member configuredto removably attach the electronic display with the cradle.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising: rotating the attached electronicdisplay by performing one of: rotating a portion of the stand relativeto another portion of the stand, rotating a portion of the cradlerelative to another portion of the cradle, and rotating the cradlerelative to the stand.
 11. The method of claim 6, wherein the resilienttabs engage with the notches when in an undeflected state, and whereinthe resilient tabs disengage from the notches when in a deflected state.12. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of notches are evenlydistributed around a circumference of the circular channel.
 13. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the circumferential arrangement comprises analternating arrangement of resilient tabs and arcuate wall portions. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein the alternating arrangement comprisestwo resilient tabs that are diametrically opposed to each other.
 15. Amethod for use with an electronic display in an aircraft, the methodcomprising: positioning a stand concentrically with respect to acircular opening of a cradle, wherein the stand comprises a circularbase comprising a circumferential arrangement of tabs and arcuate wallportions, the tabs having latch ends, wherein an arcuate wall portionextends over most of a portion of a perimeter of the circular basebetween adjacent tabs, wherein the stand is attached with an instrumentpanel of the aircraft, and wherein the circular opening of the cradle isdefined by an inner surface having a plurality of detents and aplurality of raised portions; axially moving the stand and the cradletoward one another to cause engagement of the tabs with the innersurface, wherein continued relative axial movement of the stand and thecradle urges the tabs radially inwardly while a radially outward biasensures the tabs maintain a sliding friction contact with the innersurface until each of the latch ends registers with a first respectivedetent of the plurality of detents, whereupon the radially outward biasurges the tabs radially outwardly and causes the latch ends to move intothe first respective detent, thereby placing the stand and the cradle ina first locked position relative to each other; rotating the stand andthe cradle relative to each other, thereby causing each latch end toengage a respective raised portion of the plurality of raised portionsand urge the latch ends radially inwardly, wherein continued relativerotation of the stand and the cradle registers each latch end with asecond respective detent whereupon the radially outward bias urges thetabs radially outwardly and causes the latch ends to move into thesecond respective detent, thereby placing the stand and the cradle in asecond locked position relative to each other; and attaching theelectronic display to the cradle.